After the fortuitous visit of President of Obama there has
been spirit of renewed enthusiasm between both countries. But this
charter of Indian foreign policy has heightened apprehensions of China who was busy reading between the
lines. To assert ties with the Asian giant following the departure of Obama New
Delhi deployed foreign minister, Sushma Swaraj and the new foreign secretary Jai
Shankar, adept in the trade of diplomacy to allay the strategic anxieties of
Beijing with a message of friendship and understanding. As a part of
affirmative action Sushma Swaraj laid foundation for the Prime Minister Modi’s
long overdue trip to Beijing in May.
The synergy between India and China froze over a period of
time due to the Nehruvian legacy and the debacle of the 1962 Indo-China war. Further,
the recent aggressions along the Depsang plains in 2013 and consequent military
build up just before the visit of Premier Li Keqiang in Chumar last summer and
unrelenting aggression during the visit of Xi Jinping hamstrung efforts of
India to rev up bilateral ties between the two nations. These irritants constantly
remind India of the urgent need to resolve border disputes with China at the
earliest. Reducing abrasions along border can alone impart needed momentum to
renovate bilateral engagement between both nations. Previous governments hamstrung
by coalition compulsions failed to proactively engage with China. Now BJP, with
absolute majority in Lower House and poised to extend it to other house is
bereft of any obligations must leave no stone unturned to exterminate the
border hostilities. Swaraj during her visit prodded her Chinese counterpart to
explore the possibility of out-of-box solutions for the same. She asserted that
friendly ties with the US do not cast a shadow on its relations with China.
President Xi broke the protocol and met Swaraj to express his solidarity.
With Modi at the helm of foreign policy, India is rapidly
evolving and framing new global rules to advance its economic and strategic interests.
Accordingly, India signalled its intentions to work with China by lending
support to the BRICS New Development Bank and signed the Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank both dominated by China. Thus New Delhi asserted its intentions
of actively engaging with China. While some progress has been made during
President Xi’s visit to India in manufacturing sector and resulted in Chinese
investments of $1.1 billion there is a greater scope for cooperation in
different areas. Currently, Indo-China trade is pegged at $38 billion which is
much lower than Pakistan ($66 billion), its irreplaceable-all weather friend.
It is important to reiterate that despite its strategic polarities, China’s
trade with the US accounts is worth $570 billion. The challenge for Modi’s
government would be to consolidate ties with the US to checkmate the strategic overtures
of China without undermining the long term economic entitlements by actively
engaging with Beijing.
The opening of alternative motorable route through Tibet to
Kailash Yatra marked the beginning of new chapter in the Indo-Chinese
relations. India registered yet another
major achievement during the trilateral summit of foreign ministers of Russia,
India and China (RIC). China and Russia decided to back India for moving
proposal of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism against
Pakistan for sheltering and facilitating terrorists responsible for the carnage
of 26/11 and other attacks in the UN. This staggering move not only jolted
Pakistan but it is also firm acknowledgement of the terror menace Beijing has
been facing in its territory of Xinjiang. Above all this reflects China’s convictions
of partnering with India. Further Russia and China pushed for larger role of
India in the UN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation.
Aggressive Chinese expansionist tendencies are cause of major
of concern to India. Modi during his visits to Tokyo and Washington elicited
his fears about the same. But to realise the dream of Asian century, both
nations should forge new bonds of friendship without overstepping on the
contentious issues of the border disputes. While China is squeamish about the
South China Sea and aggrieved by India’s interests in this region, New Delhi
must make Beijing realise that more than half of its trade transits through it.
To emerge as an economic power, India has to seek access to Chinese markets and
welcome its investments too. In return, India too must have a calibrated
approach towards the Silk Road Economic Belt Initiative of China to boost trade
and connectivity ties. Till date India’s access of Chinese markets especially
IT and pharmaceuticals have been limited. Indo-Chinese relations are impeded by
serious mistrust. In spite of ancient cultural linkages between the nations,
grave misunderstanding and misperceptions have dominated the relationships.
In the meanwhile Pakistan extended invitation to President Xi
Jinping as the Chief Guest to preside over the parade for the Pakistan Day on
March 23rd. The last joint military parade took place in 2008 during
the tenure of President Pervez Musharraf. India must rejuvenate all its efforts
to mitigate the trust deficit and should reiterate its interest in
strengthening ties with Beijing. Being home of one third of humanity and
sitting over a huge stock of reserves, India cann’t afford to undermine
bilateral ties with China.
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